White Strawberries: Gardening for Wellness & Joy

• Pesticides Uncovered: How to Eat Safer | With Alison White

  Leave a comment!Guest: Alison White, Co-convenor of the Safe Food CampaignIn this episode, I sit down with Alison White, the woman behind New Zealand’s version of the Dirty Dozen list — a ranking of the most pesticide-contaminated foods available on our shelves. Alison has a Master’s in Public Health, is a lifetime member of the Soil & Health Association, and co-convenes the Safe Food Campaign.Together, we unpack:How the Dirty Dozen is created and what makes NZ’s version uniqueWhy grapes, celery, and strawberries consistently top the listThe worrying truth about glyphosate (RoundUp) and how little NZ actually tests for itHow pesticide regulation gets tangled in industry influencePractical ways to reduce your exposure — from vinegar rinses to growing your own produceThis conversation will leave you thinking differently about what’s on your plate — and why home-grown food might just be one of the most powerful forms of resistance. Link for Further Reading:The Dirty Dozen – latest update via Soil & HealthOOOOBY (organic box service)Harraway’s Organic Oats collectionPesticides in New Zealand ChildrenSafe Food Campaign NZ – FacebookSafe Food Campaign Chlorpyrifos Petition SummaryDr. Libby Blog

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• The Secret to Thriving Roses | Spark Joy

  Leave a comment!🌹 Welcome to White Strawberries, your go-to podcast for effortless, joyful, and sustainable gardening. In this episode, I dive into why my roses are thriving without sprays, how biodiversity supports healthy plants, and how to make your own rosewater and tea from fragrant blooms.What you’ll discover in this episode:Common rose pests and how nature balances them.How planting a diverse garden supports predatory insects like ladybugs and praying mantises.Companion plants that naturally protect and enhance roses.Choosing the right rose variety: Wild, Heirloom, and Modern Roses.How to make rosewater and a simple rose tea at home.The nutritional and skin benefits of roses grown in organic, biodiverse gardens.Research & References:Flower diversity increases aphid predation on tomatoesEffect of companion planting on pest suppressionA 2018 study:  extracts from Rosa damascena  Rose‑petal extracts have antioxidant and anti‑hyaluronidase activity — meaning they can neutralise free radicals  📸 Follow me for images, videos, and behind-the-scenes gardening tips:Instagram: @whitestrawberriespodcastFacebook: White Strawberries Podcast

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• Feed Us with Trees: Nuts and the Future of Food | with Elspeth Hay

  Leave a comment!Could the future of food be rooted in trees, not annual grains? In this episode of White Strawberries, I’m joined by journalist and NPR reporter Elspeth Hay, author of the  hopeful manifesto Feed Us with Trees: Nuts and Future of Food. Her work uncovers a surprising truth: for thousands of years, humans relied on perennial nut trees—oaks, chestnuts, hazelnuts—as our main sources of flour, oils, and everyday staple foods. At a time when the majority of the world’s calories come from monocropped annual grains, Elspeth invites us to imagine a different path: one where our landscapes are abundant, resilient, biodiverse, and shaped by the long memory of trees.We explore: 🌰 The ancient human relationship with nut trees 🌰 Why forest gardens and perennial food systems nourished entire cultures 🌰 The industrial narratives that pushed us into annual agriculture 🌰 Insights from Indigenous knowledge-keepers, agroforestry, and nut growers 🌰 The approachable, personal journey behind writing Feed Us with TreesWhether you’re a gardener, permaculture practitioner, homesteader, or someone rethinking how we grow food, this conversation will expand your imagination and reconnect you with the ancient wisdom of tree-based agriculture.If you’ve ever dreamed of growing food forests, diversifying your diet, or stepping away from nutrient-poor annual beds — this episode is for you.💚🌿Sam✨ Let’s connect:Instagram: @whitestrawberriespodcastFB Community: White Strawberries Podcast

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• Basics of Genetic Engineering | With GE Honesty

  Leave a comment!I’m not usually a political person, but sometimes a little adulting is needed. And I think it’s important that everyday Kiwis actually know what’s happening in our food system.In this episode, I sit down with Callum from GE Honesty to unpack the basics of genetic engineering, gene editing, and what these proposed changes, that are currently with parliament, could mean for New Zealand farmers, gardeners, and the nutrient density of our food.Whether you’re new to the GE conversation, a home gardener wanting to understand how this might affect seeds and soil, or simply a curious Kiwi trying to keep up with the headlines — this episode is for you.And if you’re overseas, I’d genuinely love to hear how GE crops and policies have impacted your country too.🌱 Topics we cover: – What genetic engineering actually is (in normal-people language) – How GE changes could impact NZ gardens, farms, and ecosystems – Why transparency around GE laws matters for all New Zealanders – What we can do if we don't want GE seeds in New ZealandThis is an episode close to my heart, and I’m grateful to have you here for it.💚🌿Sam✨ Let’s connect:Instagram: @whitestrawberriespodcastFB Community: White Strawberries PodcastLearn More: Seeds of Deception by Jeffrey Smith: A book that exposes perceived dangers of genetically engineered foods, as explained in this YouTube video.GE Honesty website: www.gehonesty.nzThe bill proposed in Parliament: https://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2024/0110/latest/whole.htmlOMG GMO trailer: this YouTube video.NZ media article: “Gene technology changes: What you need to know” Focus on Tikanga Māori.NZ plant & food research: “Nutrient density research – Phase 1 report released” 

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• Sunflowers: 6 Reasons to Grow them | Sparking Joy

  Leave a comment!🌻 How cool are sunflowers?In this Sparking Joy episode of White Strawberries, we explore everything there is to love about sunflowers — their ancient history, mythological roots, and the many ways they bring life (and light!) to your garden.From Greek mythology’s Helios and the sunflower nymph, to modern uses like phytoremediation — where sunflowers help clean toxins from the soil after disasters like Chernobyl and Fukushima — these plants are true multitaskers.We also dive into how to: 🌻 Use sunflowers as living garden structures for beans, peas, and pumpkins 🐝 Support pollinators and boost biodiversity 🌿 Choose heirloom, non-F1 sunflower seeds for saving and replanting 🥗 Enjoy the nutritional power of sunflower seeds — packed with healthy fats, protein, and minerals 🐔 Feed your chickens homegrown, nutrient-rich seeds for a sustainable flockWhether you’re a permaculture grower, a seed saver, or just love bee-friendly blooms, this episode will inspire you to plant a few giants of your own.🌻 Sunflower suppliers mentioned: Koanga Institute Kings SeedsAlso- thank you Elena, a listener, for sending this link through. They do free soil testing in Aotearoa: Soil Safe.📸 Let’s connect on Instagram: @whitestrawberriespodcast 📘 Join the convo on Facebook: White Strawberries Podcast

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